Tattoo photography

[JAC1961]

Anyone have some tips or link to taking decent photos of tattoos?  Taking pics on extremities with their cylindrical shape is giving me fits.

[SStu]

Nothing I've practiced with any professional success. I've seen a couple of 2 angle pictures joined via photoshop that worked pretty well, but . . . 

[Hands On]

I've never joined photos to make one connected image, but I've taken rotating shots and put them together to show the various angles.

Taking the Pics:

• this is obviously easiest if you have someone taking pics for you.
  • have them stand at the same location as you rotate, to get the same lighting.
  • pay attention to the distance from the camera to the tattoo - try to keep size and location consistent
• if you're taking shots solo
  • set the camera on a level surface that frames your piece well
  • set the timer and take as many shots as your camera will do on timer
  • same as above - stand at the right distance from the camera and slowly rotate
• take more shots that you need.
  • digital pics are free!
  • check out the set and redo as needed. be patient.
  • later, when you edit, you can choose the best ones that work well to show the piece as a whole

I've never tried this, but you might also be able to just take a video, then take stills from the video.

Editing the Pics

• Choose the best shots that show a good rotation
• Crop each shot at the same height locations of the tattoo - in this example, top of arm to bottom of half sleeve
• Resize each image to be the same height
• Adjust values of each image, to be as consistent as possible
• Save
• Open a blank file and insert each shot in the rotation
• Align to fit
• Crop if needed
• Adjust values as a whole rotated image, if needed

This is pretty amateur, but it's good enough for my needs.I've got nothing on ATAK. If you haven't already, check out Bloodwork: Sleeves and Bodies.

Hope this helps!

Edited March 10, 2020 by Hands On